Chapter 54

word count 1008

Gil made his way to the interrogation room wondering what he would find. After tying on a good one and spending the night in the drunk tank, what possible condition could Trudy be in? He didn't have to check on her; he just wanted to. She had a precious vulnerability that spoke to him, childlike and intense. Sure, there was a lot of swearing and tantrums, but deep inside, she was a frightened little girl desperately seeking attention.

He'd been in the process of pulling in favors and making deals, all to get her terrorist threats charges dropped. Obviously, she was drunk when she made them and didn't know what she was saying. She was no danger to anyone. Or at least he hoped not. In any event, she deserved another chance.

When he entered the room, she was sitting with elbows on table and head in hands, bending low because a handcuff attached to her right wrist locked her to the table on a short chain. She looked up when Gil came in. As bad as she obviously felt, a smile crossed her lips.

"Gilberto!"

"Hi, doll! How are you feeling today?"

"Shit! My heads hurts like a sonofabitch! What are you doing here?" She looked at him with curiosity and happiness all at the same time.

Gil grabbed a chair and turned it around to sit on it backwards facing her. "Look, Trudy! I've been working hard to get the worst of your charges dropped. You have no record so if you're lucky, you may only be charged with public intoxication."

"Oh, Gilberto! You are such a sweetie! If I wasn't chained here, I'd give ya a big kiss!"

Gil blushed in spite of himself. "No need! I'm just helping a friend!"

Hank popped his head in the door. "Gil, you asked me to tell you...she's free to go now." He studied the two and turned to leave. I wonder if that's a disaster waiting to happen, he pondered while walking away.

A uniformed officer appeared and unlocked the cuff on Trudy's wrist.

"I can go?" she purred.

"Yeah, I posted your bail," Gil said. He looked uncomfortable making the statement. "You can pay me back when you get it. Three hundred dollars. I knew you probably didn't have anyone to help you."

"Where did ya get such a big heart? Now I can give ya the big ol' kiss ya deserve!" She grabbed the cop and planted a big one right on his lips while lifting her thigh up to rub against his leg.

What have I gotten myself into, he wondered.

***

At the hospital, Nurse Abrams stood between Jeannie and Buzz's beds, addressing them both. She was a huge woman with tiny eyes buried and lost in the folds of her face, so that her shining feature was her smile. It radiated warmth and humor making her popular among the patients

"Well, my friends! Today we are moving you to a semi-private room together. No more heavy duty monitoring. You can take phone calls and watch TV and feel normal again."

"HOW IN THE HELL can a person feel normal in a hospital?" Buzz asked. His face flushed and voice crackled with anger.

Nurse Abrams stared, stunned by his rudeness, speechless, perhaps wondering where the outburst came from.

Jeannie struggled to sit up in bed. "Buzz, what's the matter with you. This lady is just here to help us. Apologize to her NOW."

Buzz looked to his wife, and his jaw dropped. Could that be mousy Jeannie yelling at him? He didn't know what to think. He was only aware of the need to listen and obey. She was right. He had been rude. His mind whirled with new realizations. Had this become a way of life for him these past few years, snapping and yelling at people?

"I'm sorry, nurse. I lost my temper. I hope you can understand and forgive me."

"No offense taken. We know being in the hospital is hard. Now, here come the orderlies to get you moved."

Two brawny lads in green scrubs appeared with wheel chairs in tow. One of them half-lifted and half-guided Jeannie onto one of the chairs. With Buzz's injuries, he was going to need help getting out of the bed. The strongest of the two orderlies reached to lift him and Buzz exploded.

"DON'T lay a hand on me, you..." His eyes met Jeannie's and he stopped. Her expression telegraphed a message of warning. He cleared his throat. "I mean...thanks for the help."

As the orderlies wheeled them to their new room, Jeannie remained lost in thought. She liked what had just happened. She intended to call Buzz on every insensitive thing he said or did. The cancer had taught her something, that you can't win without trying, without fighting the good fight. Success didn't just happen on its own. Just like she was fighting for her life in a battle with cancer, she intended to fight for her marriage with Buzz. Every time he was insensitive, she'd reel him in until he finally got the message. She would get back the good man she married or die trying.

Buzz looked at his wife in amazement. He wasn't sure what had brought about the change in her, but he liked it. If he had to get a wake up call, what better than for Jeannie to issue it.

And maybe together, they could figure out what had happened to their boy and bring him around before it was too late. His blood ran cold thinking of the possibilities. If they didn't bring Adam around soon, he'd end up like the scumbags Buzz threw in jail everyday...drug addicts, thieves, murderers. Murderer! He recalled how Adam had wished him dead. He couldn't let this go on. He had to help his kid.